Nancy Pellicer Dyer to sign 'The Minorcan Yoke' March 8-9

Just south of America’s oldest permanent city, St. Augustine, Fla., lie the ruins of the largest colony the English attempted to establish in the New World. New Smyrna was established in 1768 by 1,400 indentured servants; immigrating from the Mediterranean countries of Italy, Greece and the Balearic island of Minorca.

Their nine turbulent year odyssey under English domination and servitude was a struggle to survive against tremendous odds. The Minorcan Yoke is the adventurous tale of a real life hero, Don Francisco Pellicer, and how he led the 600 survivors of the ill-fated endeavor to their freedom.

Upon receiving a land grant in the newly acquired Florida territory, Scottish Doctor Andrew Turnbull, on behalf of his partners, one of which is George Grenville, Prime Minister of England, sets out to recruit indentured servants from hardy Mediterranean stock. With Greek and Italian laborers as a goal, because they are ideally suited for Florida’s humid climate, the doctor finds few takers and much resistance filling his quota of 500 immigrants.

With Minorca set as the disembark point, Dr. Turnbull arrives disappointed in his efforts knowing he is far short of his desired number of bondsmen and expenses are mounting. Fortunately the doctor finds many of the local population willing to join his adventure and the Minorcans quickly swell the ranks.

A young master carpenter, Don Francisco Pellicer is recruited and joins the journey to American. As the caravan of ships arrive in Gibraltar, problems begin. Discovering stowaways, the number of immigrants comes to a staggering 1,400 individuals. The doctor also learns that two of his hired vessels will not continue and he scrambles to find replacements.

Upon arriving in New Smyrna, Fla., the immigrants find life not as it was promised. The Greek colonist, led by a few ruthless men, revolt and attempt to escape; endangering the lives of many.

The 600 remaining soles would find their savior in Don Francisco Pellicer when he risks his life by escaping to seek help from the governor in St. Augustine. He then returns to the colony to lead his people to freedom.

"The Minorcan Yoke" is a novel that allows the reader to behold the hardships and tragedies of our Minorcan ancestors while they pioneered the dawn of our nation.

About the Author:

Nancy Pellicer Dyer lived in the San Francisco bay area for 18 years where she was employed as a Customer Service Manager and Field Engineer for Kodak, Xerox and Sun Microsystems. She attended the University of California and proudly served 8 years in the U.S. Navy.

She has worked for the Secretary of Defense and has lived, worked, and traveled extensively in the Mediterranean while working at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). At present, Dyer and her husband live near Richmond, Va. She is working on a second novel that continues where the first novel, "The Minorcan Yoke," leaves off.

Dyer is a direct descendent of the main character of this novel. Her family still resides in the nation’s oldest city. Dyer grew up with stories of how her forefather had saved the people of New Smyrna from starvation and death. Her desire to learn more of their difficult life prompted her in-depth research and this novel.